Category: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Nowadays, it’s a bit hard to believe that Sonic the Hedgehog was once a successful and beloved franchise. Between all the terrible spin-offs and flat, unnecessary side characters that have been introduced to the series in the past few years, the appeal of the early Sonic games can easily be lost in the haze.

However, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a shining example of everything fans love (or loved) about the franchise. Widely considered to be the greatest Sonic game ever made, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 had everything you could expect from a great sequel. Improved graphics, bigger levels, a revolutionary new save system — you name it, this game probably had it.

The soundtrack, of course, is as good as ever. The Sonic franchise has always been known for its upbeat and incredibly catchy tunes composed by industry legend Masato Nakamura, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 does not fail to deliver in that department. Compared to the original Sonic the Hedgehog, 2 gives a lot more attention to energetic guitar riffs and fast-paced percussion, but this change was not a poor decision, as it is a perfect match for the slightly more action-heavy sequel.

It’s difficult to choose which tracks were the best, but my vote goes to the Metropolis track. In a soundtrack full of pulse-pounding chiptunes, that one got my heart beating the fastest. Another favorite track is the final boss theme, which features a blaring snare drum and a rather charmingly dated synthesized orchestra.

The glory days of everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate what we already have. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was an instant classic. It had great action, timeless gameplay, and a wonderful soundtrack. If you’re a fan of 8-bit music and you have yet to give a listen to this little gem, take your chance now! 🙂